Device for launching life-boats.



R. W. LEEMING. DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING LIFE BOATS.

Patented May18,1915.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7. I914.

WITNESSES INVENTOH fiamf/filfg/w/ a',

BY 2 z AHORNEYS M NEE m -R. W. LEEMING. DEVICE FQR LAUNCHI'NG'LIFE BOATS.

APPLlCATlON FILED DULY], 1914.

WITNESSES R. w. LEEMING.

I DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING LIFE BOATS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7. 1914. 1 1,140,046. Patented May18,1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEEI 3- hrramlsrs R. w. LEEMING. I DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING LIFE BOATS.

KPPLICATiON FILED Jun/,7. 1914. I 1,140,046. Patented May 18, 1915.

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fmmr IK [ATM/I761 m A TTORNEYS R. W. LEEMING. 4 DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING LIFE BOATS. APPLICATION man sun 1, 1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT WILLIAM LEEMING, OF BRANTFORD, CANADA.

DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING' LIFE-BOATS.

Tojii ll it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT W. LEEMING,

asubject' of the King of Great Britain, and "a resident of Brantford, in the Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Launching Life-Boats, of which the following is a vices for launching life boats, and has for itslfobject to-provide a device of the character specified, adapted ,for launching life bQ tfsespecially, from ships, other vessels, piers, or the like, wherein davits are pro vided for supporting the life boat connected to the vessel or pier in such manner that they may be rotated on a vertical axislto,

swing the boat from 'on board to a position above the water, and may then be swung outto lower the boat into the water.-

In the drawings z Figui-e 1 is a top plan view of the improved launching device supportin'ga life boat, Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows adjacent to the line, Figs, 4,5 and 6 are sections on the lines 4-fl, 5 5 and 66, respectively, of Fig. 3,

i Y i Fig. .7 isa side view of a portion of one of the davits, Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of a portion of the life boat, showing its connection with the launching ap- 4 paratus, Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of modified constructions, Fig. 11 is a partial" section of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the device in use.

The embodiment of the invention shown I in Figs. 1' to 7 inclusive, is shown in connection with a vessel or pier 1, and aboat 2, which 18 bein launched from the vessel or pier 1. The aunching device comprises a pair of davits of similar construction, each comprising an upright or column 3 in the form of a channel bar, and hinged to the outer face of thesidewall of the vessel or pier, by means of a bracket plate 4. The

@ bracket plates are bolted or otherwise secured to the vessel as indicated at 5, and

each plate is provided with a pair of parallel laterally spaced. bearing lugs 6, between which the lower end of the. channel bar. is received, andca pivot pin? ispassed throughregistering openings in the lugs qand through: openings in thelower ends of theside walls of-attic charm libar and eaclnpinw Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1915 Application filed July 7, 1914. Serial No. 849,480.

rights are thus mounted to swing outwardly from the vessel or pier if desired, and the davits of each pair are connected by means of a link 9. A double eye bolt 10 is passed transversely of each upright, intermediate the ends thereof, and with the eyes 11 on the outer faces of the side walls of the up right. The link 9 is provided with an eye at each end which engages the innermost eye of the adjacent bolt, and sectional links are Igoilinected with the outermost eyes of the Each of the sectional links consists of a section 12 and a section 12, the adjacent end of the sections being threaded and being engaged by a double nut 13. The ends of the nuts are oppositely threaded, as are also the mitting the effective length of the links 12 12 to be varied. Each of the links 1212 extends outwardly and downwardly, and the section 12 of each link is provided with an eye. at its outer end, which engages an eye 14 on the plate 15, secured to the side wall of the vessel or pier. Thedavitsnre thus braced against lateral movement in either direction, the arrangement being such that they must swing vertically in parallel planes and without lateral movement.

It will be noticed from an inspection of Fig. 2 that the eyes 14 of the plates 15 and the pivot pins 7, are in horizontal a-linement, so that there is no shortening of the distance between the eye bolt 14 and the adjacent eye bolt 11, during the swinging movement of the davits. At its upper end each channel bar 3 is reinforced and braced by a T shaped plate, consisting of a body 16 and a central rib 17. The body 16 of each T plate is of suiiicient width to extend beyond the outer faces of the side walls of the chan' nel bar 3, and the said extended edges are tube fitting between the sidewalls ofqthe channel .bar, and each of the guide tubes 19' is provided near,its,lower end .withan EX.

ternal annular, groove; 2(), for receiving a.

substantially .U-shap'ed. holding bracket 2,1,1

the said bracket fitting the groove at the front and sides of the guide tube, and filling the space between the side walls of the channel bar and the tube as shown more particularly in Fig. 4c. The body of each of the said brackets is provided with laterally extending perforated lugs 22, which register with the openings for the bolts 18 in the body of the T plate, and the said bolts pass through the perforations of the lugs and are engaged by nuts 28, on the outer face of the bracket.

A laterally extendin arm 24 is connected with the upper end 0 each of the tubular guide tubes 19, each arm having a hub or hearing sleeve 25, fitting the upper end of the tubular guide tube, and resting at its lower end against the upper end of the upright 3, the T plate 1617, and a clamping bracket 26, which clamps the tube to the upright at the upper end thereof. The guide tube 19 is extended above the upper end of the upright to receive the hub 25 and to extend to a position flush with the upper end of the said hub.

A pulley 27 is journaled in a substantially U-shaped bracket 28, at the upper end of the bore of the guide tube 19, and the arms of the bracket 28 are integral with a plate 29, which is secured to the upper face of the arm 24-, by means of screw bolts 30 or the like. Another pulley 31 is connected to a similar U-shaped bracket 32, at the outer end of the arm, and the arms of the bracket are integral with a similar plate 33, which is secured to the upper face of the arm near its outer end, by means of screw bolts 34: or the like.

A flexible member 38, as for instance, a rope, wire or cable, passes over the pulleys 27 and 3 1 from a davit hook 36, downwardly through the bore of the guide tube 19, and at the lower end of the said bore, beneath a pulley 37, iournaled on a journal pin 39,

held in bearings 4.0, arranged transversely of the channel of the upright 3, near the upper face of the deck of the boat or pier 1 and then over a roller 41, journaled on the deck to reeling or winding mechanism to be later described. The pulley 42 of one davit is held in a substantially U-shaped bracket 43, which is connected to straps 44, secured to the deck or pier. The pulley 42 is journaled between plates 45 and 45, secured to the 'deck in spaced relation'adjacent 'to the other davits.

The reeling or winding mechanism comprised a reel 46 which is provided with two sect'ons or divisions and the respective flexible members 38 wind upon the said divisions or sections in the same direction. The reel is j urnaled inbearing brackets 47' on the dec r, and a worm wheel 18 is secured to the reel at one end between the reel and the adjacent bearing 47. The worm wheel is engaged by a worm 49 on a shaft 50, journaled transversely of the reel at the worm ranged blocks 52 and 52 each grooved on its inner face to receive the flexible member 38. The block 52 rests between the side walls of the channel bar, fitting the same as shown in Fig. 5, and the block 52" fits against the outer face of the said block. The block c is provided with transverse openings fr! permitting the passage of threaded stems 53 from the block 52, and the block 52" has longitudinally extending perforated lugs 54:, for receiving the bolts 18 before mentioned, which en ge the extended edges of the T plate 161 7. The threaded stems 53 also extend through openings in 11: s 55 at the ends of a nut 56, and nuts 5 are threaded on to the stems on the opposite side of the lugs from the blocks 52-52. The nut 56 is thus held from outward movement with respect to the blocks 52 and 52, and a threaded stem 58 is rotatably connected with the block 52 at its center, and the stem extends through the nut and is provided with a wheel 59, for convenience in rotating the same.

It will be evident that when the hand wheel is turned, the block 52 will be moved toward or from the block 52' to compress or release the flexible member. The movement of the flexible members may be thus nicely controlled by means of the hand wheels 59 to permit the life boat to move slow or fast, or to stop the same at any point desired.

The plate 40 that supports the journal pin 39 of the pulley 37 is as before stated, connected to the davit. The connection is made by means of the bolts 18, before mentioned, the said bolts being passed throu h the extended side edges of the body 16 of t e T plate and through openings in the side edges of the plate 40, and the nuts 23 clamp the plate to the upright. This plate is near the level of the deck, and the before mentioned, that $11 pprts t e pulley 42', is secured to the doc ust below the pulley 37. The plate 45' su ports the roller 41, and mechanism is provi ed in connection with this plate forclamping the adjacent late 45.

e other 80 td thegbottom of bracket nutsisprovided with a hand wheel 122, for convenience in turning the same, and it "Jim opposite side of the davit from the eye 117, and th rough a not 121, arranged between the lugs and journaled in the same. The

will be.- obvious that when-the nut is turned theeproper direction the chain will be tightened; aroundi the davit to hold it in upright positioni. By turning the nut: in the eye bolt may be davit to swing away,

the opposite direction, loosened? to permit. the fromthe dechior pier.. The'hooks- 36 before. mentioned, at the outer ends of the flexible members 38 are adapted to engage. latch pins 61',- for con-' necting the hooks with. the boat 2, before mentioned. Eachof the latch pins is pro videdwiths fork at one end,and the arms 62 of the fork engage opposite faces of one vcoilispring 611 sarranged between the lever and. the "decking, the spring acting norto move. the lever in a direction to cm'iserthe-lateh pin to engage the hook 39.

end of the A connecting bar. 68- is pivotally connected the boat by means of platesv 69, the said plates having beating:- 70, between which the lower .end of 'thear is received.

A ivot pin 71 is passed through the lugs andtllrough a hearing at the end of the bar, andga cotter pin 72 is passed through the pin to prevent disengagement thereof. The upper end of the bar 68 passes through an opening 73 in the decking of the boat and'above the decking the bar is forked. The arms 74 of the fork are adapted to fit opposite sides of the book 36, and the said arms have registering openings through which the latch pin 61 may pass to pivotally connect the hook to the arms 74! of the bar. Aif wheel75 is journaled on a journal pin 76, extending laterally from that side of the boat"adjacent to the vessel, and the said on its peripheral surface, alongside each other.

wheel is provided with a pair of grooves the grooves lying Flexible members 77 are connected at one end to the respective grooves, and the said members extend in opposite directions, being connected at their opposite ends to the free ends of the levers 63 before mentioned. The flexible members "pass through guide tubes 78 held on the side of the boat by bearin clips 79, and a socket .80 s secure d'to the w eel extendingradially a ap t ibei g ed means of the handle lowered down the side by a handle 81, and? it will'l pe evident that when the wheel is turned infthe proper be moved toward each other to withdraw the The operation of the launching mechalatch pins from the opening r f th arms 74 nisni just described, is as.foIlows:.-.The life boatsare supported on cradle blocks on the '70 I deck and to launch a. boat, the davits are I sea isperfectly smooth the boat may be p of the vessel, the

davits holding the position shown in Figs.

1,2. and 3'until the boat strikes the surface of the water. Should however, there be v a sea running or should the vessel have a listin-boaird', with the boat in the position of Figs.- 1 and 3, the wheels 59 are turned to clamp the cables 38 between and 52 and after the cables havebeen clamped and the deck chain released the reel isoperated to unreel the cables. The boat will hold the position indicated in dotted linesin Fig. 3, but the davits as a whole, will swing sel until the boat strikes the surface of the water away from the side of the vessel. Inv

the first case when the boat strikes the water,

the plates 52 outward from the side of the vestheproper person will swing the wheel .73

by means of the handle 81 in a direction to cause the free ends of the levers63 to move toward each other, thus releasing the latchpins from the davit hooks, and the davits may be returned to their original position,.

by running the reel in the'opposite direotion. 'In the latter case, the person in charge of the life boat during the lowering opera tion is ready with the releasing mechanism and as soon as the boat is solely or partially water borne, on the top of a wave or swell, he operates the wheel to simultaneously withdraw the latch pins and the boat is launched free and clear of all lines and of the ship. The moment that a boat is released from the davit hooks, the reel or winch is operated to return the'davits to original position, ready for a second boat. It will be evident that any preferred form of motor might be connected to the Winch or reel to operate the same.

With the hand operated winch, the'time "required to launch a boat and return the deproved device-meetsthe requirements of the i I. International Conference Report, [which of .tlie'go uter face thereof. The socket is calls for a launching "device capableof launching a boat on either side of aves seh ,withfa 15%1ia'.y i a i It w ll be readily. seen by reference to .1

the weight ofthe boat will the davits, even with a 15% list, through the action of gravity. In fact gravity alone will swing the davits at a much greater list than 15%. It will be evident that the'center of the boat must be inside the pivot pin before the device will not be swung by gravity.

In use, the columns or uprights need not be more than 20 feet in length. Even in the largest boats the columns or u 3 need not be of excessive length. or instance with a boat having a boat deck 60 feet above the water line, a '20 foot column orv upright will operate nicely. The life boats must however, be lowered with respect to the columns before permitting the columns to swing outward. In a vessel under the above conditions the life boat after loadingin the position in Fig. 3 would be l0wcred say, 30 or 40 feet, or to a point where when the columns would swing outwardly the boat would touch the water. This point could be marked on the cables as a guide.

After the life boat has been lowered with respect to the columns as above mentione to the proper point, the wheels 52 would be tightened to clamp the cables and the deck chain released, after which the Winch would be operated to permit the boat to swing them outward. It will be evident that any desired form of releasing mechanism for releasing the boat from the davit hooks might be used but the form shown is a convenient form, by means of which the boat is supported without any danger of breakage or pulling loose, and at the same time the davit hooks may be easily released and simultaneously.

In the modified form the column or upright 3 gafliunn or upright shown in shown in Fig. 10 is similar to the Figs. 1v to 5, ng a channel bar and having the opens at its bottom for permitting it to be iinged to the side of the vessel in the same manner "as the column 3 is hinged in Fig.

The columns 3* are mounted on the "essel' in precisely the same manner as the columns 3, and are braced and connected to each other and to the vessel by means of the double eye bolts 11; the links 10 and the links 82 corresponding to the sectional links 12-12. The side walls of the channel bar are connected at their upper ends by an integral web 83, and the column is provided with a frusto-conical extension 84:, from the web. At each end of the extension cylindrical bearing surfaces 85 and 86 are provided. An arm 87 is provided with a bearing' 88 for engaging the portion 85 and the outer end of the arm is formed into an eye 89. A collar 90 encircles the bearing surface above the bearing 88 and a set screw 91 upward movement of the is threaded through the collar into engagentent-with the bearing surface to prevent arm. An inclined rights brace 92 is connected at one end to the outer end of the arm 87 asindicated at 93,'and the upper end of the brace is provided witha bearing 94: which encircles the bearing 7 ,surface 96. Collars 95 are arranged above and below the bearing 94, and set screws 96 are threaded through the collars into on- I The superiority of the arraigement of cable and which is so marked that the said arrangement may with advantage be aE plied to the ordinary'davit now in'use. Fig. 9 is said arrangement to the ordinary davit. The davit 99 havin the lateral arm 100 at its upper end provi ed with the eye 101 for engagement by the hanger 102 in which the pulley 103 is journaled, is rotatably mounted in upper and lower rings 101-105, respectively, for rotation navertical axis. The bearing 104 is provided-with a pair of laterally spaced bearing lugs 106, and pulley 107 corresponding to the pulley 41 of Fig. 1, is journaled between the ln A pulley 108 is connected to the eck of the vessel 109, by means of bearing plates 11 0, the said pulley corresponding in position and arran ement to the pulley 42, before mentione A fourth pulley 111 is journaled in a hanger 112, which is connected to a ring 113, which encircles the davit at the junction of the arm 100 with the body, a-nd.a holding plate 114 is secured to the davit at this point to prevent movement of the'ring longitudinally of the davit.

The pulleys 103l07--108 and 111 support a flexible member 115, a rope or, cab which passes from the winch shown in Fig. 1, and the outer end of the cable is pro-- vided with the usual davit hook 116. iththis construction, the life boat is picked up off the cradle blocks by means of the winch, and it is then swung outward as above described and lowered to the waten The davits are not mounted to swiiig outwgrrdly but the operation is otherwise first-described construction.

I claim I 1. A pair of davits, each of the said din comprising a column or upright of chann I shape, an arm rotutably connected with thd the same as in the shown the manner of applying the upper end or the column or upright to reing adapted to extend above the boat deck 1'30 or a ves el, a pulley journaled at the outer end of each arm, a pulley journaled on the arm near the top of each column, a pulley journaled on each column intermediate the nds thereof, a flexible member passing over the pulleys and having a davit hook at its outer end for engaging a boat to support the same, and brake mechanism in connectlon with each column for preventing movement of the flexible member, said mechanism being arranged on the column between the last-named pulleys and comprising a pair of blocks having registering grooves for receiving the flexible member, the blocks being connected to the column and being -movable laterally with respect toeach other, and means for clam ing the outer block on the inner block. 2. A pair of davits, each of the said go davits comprising a column or upright of channel shape, an arm rotatably connected with the upper end of the column or upright to revolve around the upright, a bracket for each davit adapted to be segs curedto a fixed support, a hinge connection between each column and the adjacent bracket for permitting the upper end of the colunm to swing outwardly and downwardly, said column being adapted to extend above the boat deck of a vessel, a pulle joum'aled on the arm near the outer end of each arm, a pulley journaled at the top of each column, a pulley journaled on eachcolumn intermediate the ends of the column, a flexible member passing over the pulleys and having a davit hook at its outer end for engaging a' boat to support the same, and brake mechanism in connection with each column for preventing movement of the flexible member, said mechanism being arranged between the lastnamed pulleys. i 3. A pair of davits, each of the said davits comprising a column or upright of channel shape, an arm rotatably connected with the upper end of the column or upright to revolve around the upright, a bracket adapted to be secured to the side of a vessel at each davit, a hinge connection between each column and the adjacent bracket for permitting the upper end of the column to swing outwardly and downwardly, said column being adapted to extend above the boat deck of a vessel, a pulley. journaled at the outer 56 end of each arm, a ulley journaled on the farm near the top 0 each column, a pulley journaled on each column near the interme diate ends of the column, a flexible member passing over thepulleys and having a davit B0 hook at its outer end for engaging a/boat to support the same, and brake mechanism in connection with each column/for pre-v venting movement of the flexiblemember.

4. In combination with a vessel, 2. pair of I davits, each davit consistlng/ of a column the said elements being connected to the direction elements for the flexible members,'j one of the said elements being at the outer end of the arm, another of the said ele ments being near the top of the column, 0

the other direction element being on the col umn near the level of the deck from which the boats are to be launched, and means on the column between the last-named ele' f ments for clamping the flexible member to 35 the column, each of the said clamping mechanisms consisting of a pair of superposed" blocks having coiiperating grooves'f'or-"receiving theflexible members, means for forcing the blocks toward the column, and-9o means for bracing the davits against each" other and against the vessel to lateral movement of the davits.

5. In combination with a vessel, apair of davits, each davit consisting ofa columnj gz hingedto the side of the vessel at the lower end of the davit and with the davit extending above the deck from which the boats are to be lowered, an arm rotatablycon-" nected with the upper end of each column 'oo for swinging movement around the column,

a flexible member in connection with each davit for connection with the boat at one: end to support the same, a common means for simultaneously moving the flexible mem 'bers of both davits in the same direction} direction elements for thefiexible members," one of the said elements being at the outer end of the arm, another of the'elementsbesl f ing on the arm adjacent to the column,'the- 1 f other direction element being on the column-,: at the level of the -deck from which the: boats are to be launched, and means on the column between the last-named elements for clamping the flexible member to the column.

6. Davits for launching boats from vessels, said davits being arranged in pairs,

andfleach davit comprising a column adapted tobe hinged to thevessel below the level v of the deck from which'the. boats are to be launched and adapted to 'extend above the level of the deck, an arm mounted to rotate on each column at the upper end thereof, a flexible member havin a hook at its outer end for engaging the cat, and a common means on the deck for simultaneously moving'the cables of the pair of davits in the same direction, and direction elements for supporting and guiding each cable, one of prevent f column near the level of the upper surface of the deck, and means on the column ad 'jacent to the said direction element for the vessel and adapted to extend above the boat deck, a bolt arranged transversely of each column and having eyes at each ofits ends, a link connecting the adjacent eyes of the columns, a link connecting the outer.- most eye of each column to the deck, each of the last'named links being sectional, and a turn-buckle in connection with the sections, the connection with the vessel being in horizontal alinement with the hinge connection of the columns, an arm journaled on the upper end of each column for rotating movement around the column, flexible members having hooks at their outer ends, the other ends of the flexible members being adapted for connection with a winch or the like, and direction elements in connection with the davits for guiding and supporting the members, one of the said elements being at the outer end of the arm, another being on the arm adjacent to the column, and another being near the level of the deck, and means for clamping each flexible member to the column adjacent to the last-named direction element.

8. A pair of davits, each davit comprising a column adapted to be hinged to the side of the vessel and adapted to extend above the boat deck, an arm journaled on the upper end of each column for rotating movement around the column, flexible members having hooks at their outer ends, the other ends of the flexible members being adapted for connection with a winch or the like, and direction elements in connection with the davits for guiding and supporting the members, one of the said elements being at the outer end of the arm, 'another being on the arm adjacent to the column, and another being near the level of the deck, means for clamping each flexible member to the column adjacent to the last-named direction element. releasable means for connecting each flexible member to the boat, and a common means for simultaneously releasing both flexible members from the boat.

9. Davits each comprising a'column having an arm at its upper end journaled on the column for rotation about the column, q hinge connection between the lower-end'o each column and aftxedsupport for permitting the column to swing outwardly on the connection, a cable in connection with each column, each cable having a hook at its outer end, pulleys for supporting and guiding each cable, one of the pulleys being at the outer end of the arm, another adjacent to the top of the column and another intermediate the ends of thecolumn, and means for clamping each cable to the colum between the last-named pulleys. 10. Davits each comprising a column having an arm at its upper end journaled on the column for rotation about the column, and each column having a tubular portion at its upper end opening through the axis of ro-' tation of the arm for receiving a cable for. connection with a boat, and having pulleys forsupporting the cable at the outer end of the arm and at the upper end of the open-' ing, each column being hinged at its lower end for permitting the column to swing outwardly, each column extending above the boats to be launched, releasable means for fixing each column inupright position, and a brake for the cable in connection with each column.

11. Davits each comprising a column having an arm at its upper end j ournaled .on the column for rotation about the column, and

each column having a tubular portion at its upper end opening through the axis of rotation of the arm for receiving a cable for connectionwith a boat, and having pulleys for supporting the cable, at the outer end of the arm and at the upper end of the opening, each column being hinged at its lower end for permitting the column to swing outwardly, each column extending above the .boats to be launched, and releasable means for fixing each column in upright position.

12. Davits each comprismg a column having an arm at its upper end journaled on the column for rotation about the column, and each column having a tubular portion at its upper end opening through the axis of rotation of the arm 'for receiving a cable for connection with a boat, and having pulleys for supporting the cable at the outer end of the arm and at the upper er of the opening, each column being hingxat its lower end for permitting the column to swing outwardly.

ROBERT WILLIAM LEEMING. Witnesses:

BENJAMIN GARNER,

CECIL BRAUND. 

